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Iron & Wine — Passing Afternoon
Album: Our Endless Numbered Days
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 763









Released: 2004
Length: 3:50
Plays (last 30 days): 0
There are times that walk from you
Like some passing afternoon
Summer warmed the open window
Of her honeymoon

And she chose a yard to burn
But the ground remembers her
Wooden spoons, her children stir
Her bougainvillea blooms

There are things that drift away
Like our endless numbered days
Autumn blew the quilt right off
The perfect bed she made

And she's chosen to believe
In the hymns her mother sings
Sunday pulls its children
From their piles of fallen leaves

There are sailing ships that pass
All our bodies in the grass
Springtime calls her children
'Til she lets them go at last

And she's chosen where to be
Though she's lost her wedding ring
Somewhere near her misplaced jar
Of bougainvillea seeds

There are things we can't recall
Blind as night that finds us all
Winter tucks her children in
Her fragile china dolls

But my hands remember hers
Rolling 'round the shaded ferns
Naked arms, her secrets still
Like songs I'd never learned

There are names across the sea
Only now I do believe
Sometimes with the windows closed
She'll sit and think of me

But she'll mend his tattered clothes
And they'll kiss as if they know
A baby sleeps in all our bones
So scared to be alone
Comments (46)add comment
Cat Stevens anyone?
 flyboy wrote:

I don't know what the deal is.  I used to really like Iron & Wine, and I am aware that there's a lot of talent in musicianship and song writing here.  But over the last few years, any time I hear a song from Iron & Wine I start to feel uneasy.  It's become more extreme, like a subliminal nausea that overcomes me.  I was literally sitting here working while listening to RP like usual, and I started having this uneasy feeling of impending doom.  Then I really felt like I was going to be sick.  It was only after about a minute of this that I realized that this song was playing.  I muted it and instantly felt better.

I don't like this.  I want to like this music, but something is making me react poorly to it.  Never had that kind of reaction to anything like that before.  Has anyone else?



I'm with ya. I think it's the continuously descending notes, each set starting from a lower note than the previous. It makes me feel seasick, like there isn't a firm reference point in the song to rest on. 
 flyboy wrote:
I don't know what the deal is.  I used to really like Iron & Wine, and I am aware that there's a lot of talent in musicianship and song writing here.  But over the last few years, any time I hear a song from Iron & Wine I start to feel uneasy.  It's become more extreme, like a subliminal nausea that overcomes me.  I was literally sitting here working while listening to RP like usual, and I started having this uneasy feeling of impending doom.  Then I really felt like I was going to be sick.  It was only after about a minute of this that I realized that this song was playing.  I muted it and instantly felt better.

I don't like this.  I want to like this music, but something is making me react poorly to it.  Never had that kind of reaction to anything like that before.  Has anyone else?
 
For one thing, this track is sad. It's a leaving song. Maybe that has something to do with the emotions you're feeling.

For myself, the melody is quite minimal. And that bothers me. I am glad there is a NEXT button. 
I don't know what the deal is.  I used to really like Iron & Wine, and I am aware that there's a lot of talent in musicianship and song writing here.  But over the last few years, any time I hear a song from Iron & Wine I start to feel uneasy.  It's become more extreme, like a subliminal nausea that overcomes me.  I was literally sitting here working while listening to RP like usual, and I started having this uneasy feeling of impending doom.  Then I really felt like I was going to be sick.  It was only after about a minute of this that I realized that this song was playing.  I muted it and instantly felt better.

I don't like this.  I want to like this music, but something is making me react poorly to it.  Never had that kind of reaction to anything like that before.  Has anyone else?
Love this album and this (title) track.
Donovan with emphysema?
Can't hear this song without thinking of that scene in House where Cut-throat Bitch dies. 
10 for the poetry alone.  But beautiful simple song.
First time I've heard it. I like it!
 Thanks for the IRON-y!
As a reward, I bumped this song 9 ->>> 10 !

Michael_Dean wrote:
iggam wrote:
I can barely tolerate I&W. They're so pretentious it borders on self-parody.

MrsTom wrote (In reference to Peter Gabriel - Rhythm of the Heat):  Pretentiousness of the highest level. Sounds a bit crap too 

 

Michael_Dean wrote:  Oh glad, I found you, an Expert of Pretentiousness. 

Would it not be handy to have a quick reference chart, seeing that we have so many citations of pretentiousness here in the comments section.  Please arrange the following in order of pretentiousness.  If you will do this work, I promise to post the chart every time I see an offense registered.  We can call it the MrsTom Pretentiousness Gradient, MTPG for short.  Not to be confused with Empty Peter Gabriel, of course, THAT'S a whole other chapter, let's just handle these one at a time and in order.  (Was that too Pretentious?).  ah... wait... we were talking about something...... THE LIST ! ! ! I  I'll have it made like a mountain range, with a snow-white pillow for my big fat head, And my heaven will be a big heaven, And I will walk through the front door.  Big time. (I love me!) (Now, I think that WAS pretentious).

 
Pretentiousness of the Highest Level
Indubitably Pretentious
Certainly Pretentiousness
Moderately Pretentiousness
Twinkie Defense Pretentiousness
Barely Pretentious
Criminally Pretentious
Chewbacca Defense Pretentious
Almost Pretentiousness
MTPG Pretentious

Oh glad, I found you, an Expert of a bit crap too.....

 

 
 Michael_Dean wrote:
 

The MrsTom Pretentiousness Gradient - M.T.P.G. (Not to be confused with Empty Peter Gabriel, of course).

 

10.)  MTPG Pretentious - Pretentiousness that precedes all other Pretentiousness, the Pretentiousness from which all Pretentiousness is borne. Big Bang MTPG some have named it - BBMTPG.

09.)  Pretentiousness of the Highest Level - The inflationary epoch occurred at approximately  10−36 seconds after the Big Bang.  Following the inflationary period, The Pretentiousness continues to expand, but at a less rapid rate.  This is why some "Good" music actually can exist.

08.)  Criminally Pretentious - deliberate, willful, malicious, spiteful, wicked, cruel or violent Pretentiousness.

07.)  Certainly Pretentiousness - deliberate, but not violent Pretentiousness.

06.)  Indubitably Pretentious - Pretentiousness Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, you will do the Time for this one.

05.)  Twinkie Defense Pretentiousness - Pretentiousness attributed to insanity AND is defensible in a Court of Law.  These offenses are often "Settled Out of Court".

04.)  Moderately Pretentiousness - A level of Pretentiousness that is still defensible, but does not oblige insanity.

03.)  Barely Pretentious - This is Pretentiousness that just made it over the line.

02.)  Almost Pretentiousness - This is Pretentiousness so feeble that it doesn't really count.

01.)  Anomalous Pretentiousness  - Sometimes it's there, sometimes not.  Physicists are baffled, naming it  a non-zero vacuum energy Pretentiousness.  In the special case of vacuum energy, general relativity stipulates that the gravitational field is proportional to ρ+3p (where ρ is the mass-energy density, and p is the Pretentiousness).

00.)  Chewbacca Defense Pretentious - Red Herring Pretentiousness, not actually pretentiousness at all, 'tis a strategy, should not be listed here. 



 

iggam wrote:
I can barely tolerate I&W. They're so pretentious it borders on self-parody.

MrsTom wrote (In reference to Peter Gabriel - Rhythm of the Heat):  Pretentiousness of the highest level. Sounds a bit crap too 

 

Michael_Dean wrote:  Oh glad, I found you, an Expert of Pretentiousness. 

Would it not be handy to have a quick reference chart, seeing that we have so many citations of pretentiousness here in the comments section.  Please arrange the following in order of pretentiousness.  If you will do this work, I promise to post the chart every time I see an offense registered.  We can call it the MrsTom Pretentiousness Gradient, MTPG for short.  Not to be confused with Empty Peter Gabriel, of course, THAT'S a whole other chapter, let's just handle these one at a time and in order.  (Was that too Pretentious?).  ah... wait... we were talking about something...... THE LIST ! ! ! I  I'll have it made like a mountain range, with a snow-white pillow for my big fat head, And my heaven will be a big heaven, And I will walk through the front door.  Big time. (I love me!) (Now, I think that WAS pretentious).

 
Pretentiousness of the Highest Level
Indubitably Pretentious
Certainly Pretentiousness
Moderately Pretentiousness
Twinkie Defense Pretentiousness
Barely Pretentious
Criminally Pretentious
Chewbacca Defense Pretentious
Almost Pretentiousness
MTPG Pretentious

Oh glad, I found you, an Expert of a bit crap too.....

 

 
 Michael_Dean wrote:
 

The MrsTom Pretentiousness Gradient - M.T.P.G. (Not to be confused with Empty Peter Gabriel, of course).

 

10.)  MTPG Pretentious - Pretentiousness that precedes all other Pretentiousness, the Pretentiousness from which all Pretentiousness is borne. Big Bang MTPG some have named it - BBMTPG.

09.)  Pretentiousness of the Highest Level - The inflationary epoch occurred at approximately  10−36 seconds after the Big Bang.  Following the inflationary period, The Pretentiousness continues to expand, but at a less rapid rate.  This is why some "Good" music actually can exist.

08.)  Criminally Pretentious - deliberate, willful, malicious, spiteful, wicked, cruel or violent Pretentiousness.

07.)  Certainly Pretentiousness - deliberate, but not violent Pretentiousness.

06.)  Indubitably Pretentious - Pretentiousness Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, you will do the Time for this one.

05.)  Twinkie Defense Pretentiousness - Pretentiousness attributed to insanity AND is defensible in a Court of Law.  These offenses are often "Settled Out of Court".

04.)  Moderately Pretentiousness - A level of Pretentiousness that is still defensible, but does not oblige insanity.

03.)  Barely Pretentious - This is Pretentiousness that just made it over the line.

02.)  Almost Pretentiousness - This is Pretentiousness so feeble that it doesn't really count.

01.)  Anomalous Pretentiousness  - Sometimes it's there, sometimes not.  Physicists are baffled, naming it  a non-zero vacuum energy Pretentiousness.  In the special case of vacuum energy, general relativity stipulates that the gravitational field is proportional to ρ+3p (where ρ is the mass-energy density, and p is the Pretentiousness).

00.)  Chewbacca Defense Pretentious - Red Herring Pretentiousness, not actually pretentiousness at all, 'tis a strategy, should not be listed here. 


So many negative comments, Whoa!
Not me, I like it a lot!
boring
Iron-hard as a good man's whine!
I'm going to drink two bottles of wine and hit myself in the head with some iron whilst passing gas in the afternoon.
Why do I love this?  I honestly have no idea..
 rez wrote:

Well there you go then - one guy pretending to be two.
 
You made me spit coffee on my new laptop! 
auburntigerrich wrote:
"They're so pretentious"? On what research do you base this one? Iron and Wine is only one guy: Sam Beam.

Well there you go then - one guy pretending to be two.


This song saw me through a number of emotionally trying periods over the last few years, and for that I will always adore it.  It gets a 10 from me.
 jagdriver wrote:
redeyespy
(Haven of calm)
Posted: Oct 14, 2007 - 17:52 < Reply >

divinemadness wrote: Like live music at the local coffee shop. Thank god for the caffeine. Sounds like Dan Fogelberg on ludes.



YEP! Dan Fogelberg on ludes 

 

Yup.  And your point is...?
redeyespy
(Haven of calm)
Posted: Oct 14, 2007 - 17:52 < Reply >

divinemadness wrote: Like live music at the local coffee shop. Thank god for the caffeine. Sounds like Dan Fogelberg on ludes.



YEP! Dan Fogelberg on ludes 

I'm sure I heard this used to close a recent episode of "House" and was wondering what it was — except I don't think it was this version.
Perfect song for a sunday afternoon.
iggam wrote:
I can barely tolerate I&W. They're so pretentious it borders on self-parody.
"They're so pretentious"? On what research do you base this one? Iron and Wine is only one guy: Sam Beam.
Awwwww.......Sweet....I love it so much, thanks.
divinemadness wrote:
Like live music at the local coffee shop. Thank god for the caffeine. Sounds like Dan Fogelberg on ludes.
I can barely tolerate I&W. They're so pretentious it borders on self-parody.
meydele wrote:
Love the singing, love the production, love everything about I&W, about this song, and about this cd. Amazing. Love it. Did I mention I love it? Love it.
I can't help it but I think the production could have been be a lot better. This is just awkward to listen to with earphones. It's as if the singer is constantly whispering in my ear, which would be OK for a few seconds but not for the whole song, let alone the entire album.
Not much for a radio song, but I tell you this, I buy this album and listen to it in my car on the way home from a stressful day at work!!!
hohum
divinemadness wrote:
Sounds like Dan Fogelberg on ludes.
I love this album but your comment made me laugh!
The ultimate soft-talking chaps.
Like live music at the local coffee shop. Thank god for the caffeine. Sounds like Dan Fogelberg on ludes.
Love the singing, love the production, love everything about I&W, about this song, and about this cd. Amazing. Love it. Did I mention I love it? Love it.
I wish this afternoon AND this song would pass. They both seem to be taking their own sweet time.
love the lyrics to this song.
Old_Pat wrote:
Do they always sing in slow motion?
Perfect description. Not enough energy to keep me going at 9:40 in the morning.
Music that makes you think about your life.
very breathy!!
Do they always sing in slow motion?
really really really wish i'd made the effort to see these guys in manchester last month... such a nice song!
This is a great album, might as well have the whole thing in the playlist. Just don't overplay and make me hate it.
By the way, which one's wine?
Can help myself, this is poetry set to music, and I think that it is most beautiful and full of sensory images that take me to a summer day!